These European Countries Burst Into Bloom in Spring — and Their Landscapes Are Straight Out of a Painting
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Spring’s here: Which European country gets your vote for the ultimate bloom-chasing, festival-hopping getaway?
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Germany
- Average temperature in spring: 52°F (14°C).
Spring is considered one of the best times to visit Germany because the weather is pleasant, flowers bloom, and travelers can find more affordable holidays. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy spotting the blooming cherry blossoms across the country’s cities from late March to April. In Bonn, you’ll find Cherry Blossom Avenue.
This 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) long street has approximately 60 cherry blossom trees. You can also immerse yourself in a floral fantasy at Munich Botanical Garden, home to over 16,000 plant species. Meanwhile, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic Bavarian spring scenery on the 4.3-mile (6.9-kilometer) Eibsee Loop hiking trail.
Between April 19th and May 11th, you can attend the Stuttgart Springfest. Situated at Cannstatter Wasen, this festival celebrates the start of spring with food, drink, concerts, and fairground rides.
Read also: European Cities for Cherry Blossom
Ireland
- Average temperature in spring: 54°F (12°C).
Ireland is one of Europe’s most beautiful spring destinations because the 1,553-mile (2,500-kilometer) Wild Atlantic Way comes to life with color and wildlife. A popular road-tripping route, spring highlights include the wildflowers in Burren National Park and seabird chicks at the Cliffs of Moher in April. This scenic road starts in County Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula and ends in Kinsale, County Cork.
Aside from being much quieter and offering better weather, spring is a great time to visit Ireland because of St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th in honor of Saint Patrick. If you visit Dublin around this date, you can expect a lively buzz across the city.
Bars and nightclubs erupt with parties, while parades featuring marching bands and traditional dancing occur around the city center.
Read aslo: Countries To Visit in Spring
Scotland
- Average temperature in spring: 52°F (11°C).
Scotland offers travelers improved weather, seasonal festivities, fewer crowds, and colorful, blooming landscapes in spring. The 96-mile (154-kilometer) West Highland Way is a fine example of what Scotland offers in spring. The hiking trail is lined with blooming bluebells, orchids, and thistles, and you might even spot baby lambs between March and April.
Better yet, there are fewer midges in early spring. Even in the capital, Edinburgh, you can enjoy magnificent spring scenery, the main highlight being Princes Street Gardens. Between April and May, gorgeous pink and white cherry blossoms bloom in the gardens.
While in Edinburgh, you could attend the Beltane Fire Festival (April 30th) on Calton Hill. This festival celebrates the birth of summer with enormous bonfires and Celtic rituals.
Read also: Top Thing To Do in Edinburgh
Spain
- Average temperature in spring: 68°F (20°C).
Whether you’re looking for a sunny escape, traditional festivals, or stunning scenery, Spain is a must-visit European country in spring. Beachgoers can enjoy sunnier skies and warmer temperatures on Puerto Banús Beach, Marbella. This one-mile (1.6-kilometer) beach offers a soft, sandy shoreline, emerald waters, and sun loungers for relaxation.
In spring, nature lovers in Spain can admire the bright pink and white floral display of the blooming peach trees in Cieza, north of Murcia. From February to March, 32,123 acres (13,000 hectares) of fruit trees bloom around Cieza.
La Macetúa is a scenic viewpoint offering exceptional views of the flowering trees. Between May 7th and 11th, travelers seeking a traditional experience can enjoy Feria de Abril in Seville. This festival features flamenco dancing, live concerts, and parades.
Read also: Instagrammable Spots in Spain
France
- Average daily temperature in spring: 68°F (20°C).
France is one of Europe’s most scenic countries in spring, with vibrant flowers blooming across the country. For example, the trees and gardens along the 1.1-mile (1.9-kilometer) Champs-Élysées bloom.
Better yet, Jardins du Trocadéro offers budding photographers the chance to photographs of the Eiffel Tower framed with cherry blossoms in early to mid-April.
Spring is an excellent time to visit Alsace, too. You can enjoy picturesque walks along the canals, which burst with color from blooming flowers. You can also enjoy the Easter and spring markets between March 28th and April 21st. These markets sell everything from flowers and jewelry to beers and cheeses.
In spring, travelers enjoy milder weather and fewer crowds, which makes their vacations more relaxing.
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Read also: Beautiful Cities and Towns in Southern France
Greece
- Average temperature in spring: 68°F (20°C).
Greece is a must-visit European country in spring because the cooler weather makes exploring the nation’s magnificent attractions easier. Trust us, you’ll appreciate the 68°F (20°C) temperatures when walking up Mount Lycabettus and wandering around the Acropolis in the capital. Spring is also the shoulder season in Greece, so you won’t have to battle through as many crowds.
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The Acropolis of Athens is already a breathtaking sight. However, it becomes even more beautiful between May and June, when bright red poppies bloom at the monument. Meanwhile, the Japanese Garden offers an array of vibrant spring blooms, including cherry blossoms.
Alternatively, you could enjoy the sandy beaches of the Greek islands in spring. In Chania, Crete, you can relax and swim in turquoise waters at Nea Chora Beach or explore the colorful 14th-century Venetian harbor.
Denmark
- Average temperature in spring: 63°F (17°C).
Spring is an excellent time to visit Denmark because the country’s beautiful landscapes come to life with stunning wildflower displays. Meanwhile, it’s possible to see seasonal offspring in various places nationwide. For example, in Jægersborg Dyrehave, north of Copenhagen, you can see adorable fawns with their mothers between May and June.
If you want to see vibrant flowers, head to the Gavnø Slot Tulip Festival, Denmark’s largest and oldest tulip festival. At the end of April and May, this colorful festival features several thousand tulips in Castle Park, Gavnø. Alternatively, you could see the cherry blossoms bloom in Copenhagen.
In mid-March to late April, bright pink and white cherry blossoms create tunnels above the paths at Bispebjerg Kirkegård. Of course, you can also visit Denmark’s famous attractions in spring, including Tivoli Gardens and Aarhus Old Town.
Read also: Scenic Hikes in Europe
Portugal
- Average temperature in spring: 70°F (21°C).
In spring, Portugal’s stunning capital, Lisbon, explodes with color as the city’s cherry blossoms, camellias, and jacaranda trees bloom. Jardim Botânico d’Ajuda, home to over 5,000 plant species, is an excellent place to observe spring blooms. Alternatively, enjoy a stroll along the banks of the River Tagus or admire the city views from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
Between April 18th and 20th, travelers can enjoy the Easter celebrations in Lisbon. During this time, you’ll encounter colorful processions, egg hunts, and lively parties across the city. If you want a spring beach getaway, head to Faro instead.
Here, you can relax on the 3.1-mile (5-kilometer) long Praia de Faro’s golden sand and swim in emerald waters.
Read also: Must-visit Beach Destinations in Portugal
Slovenia
- Average temperature in spring: 72°F (22°C).
Slovenia is one of Europe’s most underrated countries, making it a must-visit destination this spring. Spring is one of the best times to visit Slovenia because the weather starts to warm up, flowers bloom nationwide, and various fascinating festivals take place. Ljubljana, the capital, has a beautiful spring setting offering beautiful flower blooms and exciting local traditions.
As you wander the city, you’ll be treated to vibrant bluebells, snowdrops, and primrose blooms. Tivoli Park offers magical displays of blooming flowers. On March 11th, the eve of St. Gregory’s Day, the city welcomes spring with the Welcoming of Spring in Trnovo, also called Pozdrav pomladi – Gregorčki.
Children release wooden boats into the Gradaščica and Ljubljanica rivers during this celebration. If you’d prefer to escape the city, visit Lake Bled. In spring, colorful flowers and snow-capped mountains surround this mesmerizing lake.
Read also: Famous Landmarks in Europe
Wales
- Average temperature in spring: 54°F (12°C).
Spring is a fantastic time to visit Wales because you’ll find many exciting things to see and do. Better yet, the weather improves, and the landscape bursts with colorful flowers. One of Wales’ main highlights in spring is St. David’s Day.
This special day, held on March 1st, celebrates St. David, the patron saint of Wales. In Cardiff, Wales’s capital, the day is marked with parades, traditional music performances, and Welsh cuisine. You must attend the National St. David’s Day Parade in the city center.
You could also attend the International Dylan Thomas Festival in Swansea on May 14th. This festival honors the life and work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. If you’d prefer to explore the natural side of Wales, head to Snowdonia National Park, where you’ll find beautiful locations like Llyn Padarn and Bodnant Garden.
Read also: Bucket List Trips in Europe
Netherlands
- Average temperature in spring: 54°F (12°C).
The Netherlands is a top European travel destination in spring because the country’s famous tulip fields bloom in late March and mid-May. You’ll also find that many streets and parks in the nation’s cities come to life with an explosion of color. As such, you can expect Amsterdam’s scenic canal to offer an even more magical experience.
It’s also worth noting that spring is the shoulder season in the Netherlands, so you can expect fewer crowds and more affordable travel prices. The Bollenstreek region is super popular in spring, with highlights including Lisse, Leiden, and Noordwijkerhout, where millions of tulips bloom. Forty minutes from Amsterdam, you can visit Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, which is home to over seven million colorful bulbs.
You could also participate in the annual Silent Procession in Amsterdam on March 15th.
Read also: European Cities for Spring Getaway
Italy
- Average temperature in spring: 72°F (22°C).
Italy is one of Europe’s most popular countries to visit in spring. In spring, Italy offers warm weather, fewer crowds, more affordable travel costs, and blooming scenery. In Tuscany, you’ll find a small village called Il Borgo delle Camelie, or Camellia Village in English.
Unsurprisingly, this charming Italian village comes to life with brightly-colored camellia blooms in March and early April. You should also visit Rome, Italy’s vibrant capital. You’ll thoroughly enjoy walking up the Spanish Steps, stepping back in time at the Colosseum, and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain.
You can do all these things in spring before the summer crowds arrive. On April 21st, you can join Rome’s birthday celebrations, which feature parades, historical reenactments, and concerts.
Read also: UNESCO Sites in Italy
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